Collapsible tray



plil 18, 1961 E L ARNESON 2,980,310

COLLAPSIBLE TRAY Filed Sept. 30, 1959 -the bottom :edges of all the Vcorner-gl 2,980,319 Patented Apr. 18, 1961 dee CoLLAPsrsLE 'rn-AY v Filed Sept# '30, 1959, Ser. No. 843,587

v :.6 Claims. (Cl. 229-35) -This invention relates to containers or cartons Which areV adapted to be formed of paperboard or similar material and is more particularly concerned with' improvements in a carton member of the type which is initially .fabricated in collapsed or knocked-down condition with a bottom -and oppositely disposed pairs of side Walls which are hinged to the edges thereof and adapted to be moved into upright relation thereto so as to form an open top tray-like receptacle. l

Paperboard containers or cartons of the open top tray type have heretofore been provided in which adjoining side walls are connected so as to be collapsible on the bottom wall by means of a corner construction which comprises a corner connecting ap integrally hinged `to the end edge of one of the side walls and having a portion thereof adhesively secured to a triangular portion of the end of an adjoining sidewall which is foldable outwardly upon the infolded body of the sidewall along a diagonal hinge line so as to permit the walls to collapse on lthe bottom with the corner connecting ilap being hinged into 4face engaging relation with the inside surface of the side wall with which it is integrally connected. Tray constructions of this character have been employed in the packaging of various products, generally, as sections of a two section telescoping box or as packaging trays which are lled and` then'overwrapped with atransparent lm Wrapping material. The main objection to this type of `infold construction is that the Y side Walls tend to sag or collapse inwardly, when the tray is set up, resulting in anvunsightly-condition and Vmaking the tray diicult to` load. Also, the infolded side walls do not contribute fully to the stacking strength `ofthe-carton. Attempts have been made to overcome these..vobjections by tapering one pair of the side walls inwardly at the top and causing the bottom edges of the corner glue aps to frictionally engage the bottom ofthe tray so as to hold the side Walls tovwhich they are been entirely successful because of the diiculty of obtaining accurate initial folding particularly when the containers are fabricated ion conventional -carton gluing and folding machinery. The angled' hinge forming creases or scores in the side Walls donot Vfold .accuratelyk and frictionallyV engage the `bottom ofthe box. VIt is 'a general object of the present invention to pr ue flaps 'may not Yadhesively ,secured in upright condition. This has not" disposed relation when the carton is set up and thereby prevent inward collapse or sag of the side walls.

It is a still more speciiic object of the invention to provide a collapsible tray construction having a bottom and foldably connected side walls in which adjoining side wall -forming panels are connected at the corners by flap members integrally hinged to the end edge of one of the side Wall panels and adhesively secured to a triangular fold portion of the adjoining side wall panel with the connecting flap having a hinged locking tab on the bottom edge which is movable, when the tray is set up, into edge engaging relation in a cooperating locking slit in the bottom wall of the tray.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the tray construction which is shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible tray which embodies therein the principal features of the invention and which is shown in set up empty condition;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View, to an enlarged scale, showing a corner portion of the set up tray;

Figure '3 is a cross section taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1 to an enlarged scale; Y

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a part of the inside face of a blank which is cut and scored to provide the tray shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a plan view of the portion of the blank shown in Figure 4 with the wall forming panels folded into collapsed tray forming condition. l

Referring first to Figure 4 of the drawings, there is illustrated a side portion of the blank 10 which is cut and scored or creased to divide the same into the Wall forming elements necessary for fabricating the tray structure shown in Figure 1. The blank as shown in Figure 4 is symmetrical about its longitudinaland transverse center lines, only one side section or half of the blank being shown, it being understood that the opposite side ofthe blank is cut and scored in an identical manf14 and V15 being adaptedV to hinge into upright position relative to the bottom wall forming panel 13 when the tray is set up. At each corner ofthe blank the side wall panel 14 is freed at its end lfromthe corner section of the blank by cuttingV on an end edge forming line 16 vwhich extends ldiagonally outwardly andv towards thetransverse center of the blank from a point in the score line 12. which is slightly spacedV towards the Vcenter of the blank from the intersection 17 of the transversely andlongitudinally extcndingscore lines 11 and 12. The

. line 16 is preferably cut so thatit is at an angle of .vide an'infold constructionfor `a collapsible tray-type approximately 6 degrees relative to the transverse score line 11 or 84 degrees relative to the' longitudinal score line 12. The end wall panel 14 is also provided with a diagonal fold or hinge line 18 which bisects the angle be- VItfis :amore specific object ofjthe invention toiprovide Vacollapsible tray type `carton member having ax-botto'rn wall',- hinged sidewalls andcorner` connecting glue iiaps `with.cooperating locking elements on the corner con necting glue flaps and the bottom wall which-areoptween thehin'ge-'forming score line 12 and the end 'edge 416 orf-the panel 14. 'The fold or hinge line 18 Ymay-'be a .crease or score lineor a perforation line, as shown, so

a's-'to insure ready folding of the triangular end'portion '19 .of the panel`14 about the same'.

- `The score linef'12`is extended at the end of thepblank,

" asv indicated at 20, to Adivide from the end-wall panel 15 a corner connecting flap 21 which may be c'ut back at i and 23. v Y parallelrwith the end edge 16 of the end wall 14 andris Y `shaped .locking ltab 25 which is'adapted to foldonfthe Vscorelgline 24. A locking 'slit for cooperationwith Vthe 15 27 and the'score line l2tis adapted to be sprung downa ward-to expose theiedgegformed by? the cutting line 27 Y for abutting engagement'with the edge23 ofthe locking 25 d Y Y bottomgwall forming panel andside wall forming panels hinged toopposite edges thereof and adaptedto be swung Insetting'upthe tray the outside face of the triangular y p into upright side wall formmgjrelatronwith jLhebottorn` Y `are'folded outwardly about the score orperforation line( intoV upright position, which automatically prullsf-theY ap's'21 move intomthei'r Vlinal l.position ingfa'ce engagementxwith the ends o f the Vsidewalls 14n.' The edge'l23 of rfwhiie speciaemarins jaadapmieunrj deterrente@ sorted jtd-Within thelspirit oftileV in nt Y Y Y 3 along. its opposite edgeon .theY angularly related lines 22 The edge forming lineV 23 isY approximately spaced therefrom as shownwith itsouter end terminatfV ing approximately at theV transverse score linej'll yex- 5 tended.V The edge forming line 22 isparallel withvthe transverse score line 11V and offset a shortV distance therefrom inthe direction of theend ofthe blank. A score Vline 24, whichv isj'on a radius kextendingfrom the inter-A section 17 of the 'score lines V11 and 12 and' .passing 10 through the intersection of the two edge lines 22 and 23 divides the glue ap 21 and provides, between the score y line 24 and the Vedge line 23, a relatively smallrtriangular locking tab 25 is provided in thevbottom wall forming -panel 13, which slit comprises the iangularly related `cutting =lines26 and 27 extendingfrom ltheside edge forming score line V12 into the body of thepanel andspaced a' predetermined distance from the intersecting rpoint 17 20 yof theL edge formingcrease lines' llll and 12. V*The tonguelike portion28 which Vis formed between the cutting line Ytab 25;'as hereinafter described. Y

sectionV of the: corner `connecting ap 21g (theV bottom "ffa'ce fasfshownwin Figure 4) is provided with anradhes'iveV Vas indicated VVat 30., The siderfwalls 14 are'foldedin 30 about then score lines 12 into face V*engagement with the 'l bottom wall 13 Ywhile the'end flaps 19 of the side walls 18. The corner connecting flaps-y 21,1are'thenfolded in-` 35 score-line20Y approximately coinciding'. AThis completes Y r 'To set up the fray for use, rhe'side aadend .walls 14 45 f apsn uprightposition y 3. A 'paperboardcontainer formedl'rfrom `a'-jgenerally Y Arectangular blank;whichis VYcut j andn scored toV provide; aV bottom wall forming Vvpanel and two' pairs offside wall and 15 are hinged'upwardly aboutthebottom yedgeforrn- Y ing score'lines 11 and 12 of thebottomrwall panel 13,

corner connecting flaps 21 i11to.Y uprightposition withgthe bottom edges moving.. across 'the surface'of the bottom 50 wall*Y panel 13 Yand theflockingftabs 2S automatically 1'Y vkhinging about the score lines A."A asftheV corner connecting the edge '273 oftheV lockingtabfto'engagerin abutting@reiV extended' o' e rected position isachievedjandany inward Y Vinovenie'ntlof the sidewall 1,4;is, resistedtherebyholdingY the;latterinjupright erected position/. ffThe endfwalls re tCedcr'slanted'inasinall amount duetoithe'cu io Vthen-gend edges 16 of thesidewalls on' an anglewhlch less than 90 degreesrelativeVV tothescorejjline12;

traction-have been referred, .to in 'l'esrcrirbingV the -Yform 'ofV l Y e Atray illustrated, it Willbe understoodithat o ma 'rial/s and4 diterent; detailsofgconstruetionjwnia Y' position.

Aing 'tabssacrlees the bottom Vrectangular blank which is cut and scored to provide a Y bottom wall forming panel and sidewall vforming panels hinged to opposite edges thereof and adapted to be swung into upright sidewall forming relation with the bottom wall panel, oppositely'disposed side walls having cornerV `connecting'flaps hinged to opposite ends thereof and each of said flaps being separated from the adjacent side wall @by cutting on lines which provideV an upwardly and in- 4wardly tapered YVedge on the Aend ofsaid adjacent side wallk and a' small triangular shaped locking tab on the .opposed .edge-ofl the cornerfconnectingfap :which is ffoldable about its connecting edge, said corner connect- Ving ap having a triangular innerY portion thereofv 'ad- Vhesively secured to the inner v:face of a triangular shaped vrposition lto be engaged in abuttingV relation with the outwardly facing edge ofthe bottom material which is eX- posed rby.l said slit so as lto lock ythe Vcorner in upright i 2. A1 paperboard container. formed angenerally rectangular blankwhich is cutand scoredto provide a Y, and a small triangularishapedlockingtab onthe opposed 4edge of the corner connecting ap which Yirs''fc'ldableabout its connecting edge/.saidcornerconnecting flap having ra'portifon thereof fadhesivelyVY securedtd theinner face y ofi-'a triangular shaped section'which is* hingedY on the end of said adjacent sidewall, and said bottoni wall havvinga rsmall angularfslit adjacent thehing connection thereof; with said 'adjacent' side wall whereby .when` .the

Ycontainer is setup the free edge of therilocking tab on thelcornertconnectinglap is moved into abuttingrelation with an'outwardly facing edge formation VvvhichAresu'ltsk from said slit so as'to lock the'cofrner connecting panels 'hingedfto'V opposite edgesl thereof and 'adapted to be swung intouprightlsidewall forming relation with the wall byfcuttin'g'""cniglinesA dwhichV provide anfonnzva'rdly .connectin'gfap'i's swung t drlagfthefreeeld'ge titillet lockn L Y Y Y 'nel' andintofabuttingjrelaf i109 i Whittle vevtwardlyl jfaeiaaes VWlfieh 'remets .from

Vunitairpesit cutting lines which provide an inwardly inclined edge on the end of said adjacent side wall and a relatively small locking tab hinged to the oppositely disposed edge of the corner connecting flap, said corner connecting flap having aportion thereof adhesively secured to the inner face of an inwardly foldable section on the end of said adjacent side Wall, and said bottom wall having a small slit spaced inwardly or the hinge connection thereof with said adjacent side Wall in position to receive in abutting engagement the inwardly `facing free edge of the locking tab on the corner connecting panel when the container is set up and the locking tab is folded into face engagement with the inner face of the bottom waill.

5. A paperboard blank cut and scored to provide, when setup, a rectangular open top tray, said blank having spaced pairs of longitudinal and transverse scores which dene a bottom wall forming panel in the center of the blank and side wall panels adapted to hinge about opposite edges thereof and to be swung into upright side Wall forming relation with the bottom wall panel when formed into a tray, the oppositely disposed side wall panels having corner connecting flaps separated from opposite ends thereof by hinge forming score lines and each of said flaps being separated from the adjacent side wall forming panel by cutting lines which provide an outwardly tapered edge on the end of said adjacent side wall panel and a small triangular shaped locking tab on the opposed edge of the corner connecting ilap which is separated therefrom by a hinge forming score line, a triangular shaped section at the end of each said adjacent side wall which is separated therefrom by a diagonal hinge forming score line and said bottom wall panel having a small angular slit adjacent the score -line separating the same from said adjacent side wall panelwhich is adapted, when the container is set up, to provide an abutment edge for cooperating with the edge of the locking tab on the corner connecting panel.

6. A tray-like collapsible container formed from a blank of liexible sheet material which is cut and scored to provide a bottom wall panel and two pairs of upwardly hinged side Wall panels, the side wall panels of each pair thereof being integrally hinged to oppositely disposed edges of the bottom wall panel, corner connecting aps integraiiy hinged to opposite ends of one pair of said side wall panels and lying against the inner surfaces of the other pair of said side Wall panels in the erected condition of the container, said corner flaps each being secured to a foldable end portion of the ladjacent side wall panel whereby the container sid-e walls are inwardly collapsible, said corner aps each having an integral locking tab hinged to the bottom edge which is resiliently urged against the upper surface of the bottom wall panel, and said bottom wall panel having a `slit therein for coi operation with each of said locking tabs which slit eX- tends in the same general direction as the bottom edge of the corner flap and which is spaced inwardly of the edge of the bottom wall panel so as to provide anA outwardly facing abutment edge for engagement with the inwardly facing edge of the locking tab thereby to hold the corner iiap in upright position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,180,104 De Marco Nov. 14, 1939 

